Ravi Lazy Arsenio unlocked his bedroom door and was surprised to find a scattering of black feathers covering the gleaming wooden floor. He stared at the tightly closed window, through which the morning sun's rays penetrated the transparent glass. The dark-haired man stooped down to pick up a feather in front of him, which felt softer and thicker than any bird feather Ravi had ever touched.Ravi sniffed the air, which seemed to swirl around him, caressing his senses with a sweet scent of melted chocolate and a faint hint of freshly fallen rain. Taking a deep breath, he allowed more oxygen to fill his lungs; he had never smelled this unique combination before. He realized that the feather he held between his fingers also carried the same scent, only more intense, as though the aroma emanated from it. Ravi was almost lost in himself, forgetting about the state of his room, captivated by the intoxicating fragrance, until a sound shattered his thoughts.Creak!The sound of rustling sheets

Ravi woke up sweating and exhausted. He massaged his forehead and took a deep breath, realizing that he could still smell the chocolatey aroma. He pulled the edge of the blanket up to his nose, inhaling deeply as if it were his lifeline. Ravi initially thought that what had happened earlier was just a dream, but when he sniffed the blanket in his hand again, he knew it was all too real."Enjoying something, huh?" Ravi froze as if he had been caught doing something he wasn't supposed to.His cheeks grew warm as he realized that Daniel had caught him sniffing the blanket in an unusual manner. Ravi quickly let go of the blanket as if nothing had happened. He didn't understand why he had acted that way, and it seemed irrational to him. It was unlikely that he would be so affected by another man's scent."He didn't do anything to you, did he?" Daniel asked whom Ravi understood who his brother was referring to.Ravi sighed and shook his head, moving the blanket away from his body. He suddenl

"I will die."The sentence felt like dozens of needles piercing right into Ravi's chest, making it hard for him to even look at Raymond for now. Ravi made a choked sound deep in his throat, never expecting those words to come from Raymond. But in less than a day of knowing Raymond, he felt the pain and heaviness in the way those words came out of this man's lips.Ravi remained silent, keeping his mouth tightly shut. He swallowed every word he wanted to say to Raymond. They stayed silent until the quiet was broken by Raymond's hoarse voice. "But Ravi, it's the best choice. I'm a bad elf, if you want to refuse, do it now, Ravi. I don't want to go back there.""Where do you live?" Ravi cautiously asked, not wanting to inadvertently trigger painful memories for Raymond.Raymond replied weakly, "My house is quite spacious, filled with many horses, but it can sometimes smell."Ravi's chest tightened, his eyes growing warm as he heard that, Raymond had touched a sensitive spot this time. What

"Make a wish, Ravi," his father spoke as he offered a cake with birthday candles lit on it to Ravi."Dad, I don't believe in things like this," Ravi said, smiling as he looked at the cake in front of him. He shifted his gaze to his mother and Daniel, who were waiting for him to do as his father instructed."Come on, Ravi, just make a wish. God will grant it," Daniel said, walking over to stand beside Ravi and placing his arm around Ravi's shoulder."Go on, dear. Your father is struggling to hold the cake," his mother added, making his father and Daniel laugh heartily."Alright, Mom," Ravi closed his eyes. Even though Ravi didn't believe in such things, he reluctantly made a wish. The problem was, that Ravi had no specific wish in mind; he felt like everything was sufficient in his life. So, he made a wish that seemed impossible, or if it did come true, he would be very happy with it.I wish on my birthday, a beautiful girl will descend from the sky like a winged angel, love me, and acc

Ravi's feelings turned uneasy and restless, so he hurriedly rushed down the stairs to the front yard of his house. He immediately spotted the unfamiliar man holding a bloodstained sword.Ravi's legs went weak as his eyes caught a sight he never wanted to see. Lying in the green grass was Daniel with a gaping wound in his abdomen, which Ravi strongly believed had been caused by the stranger's sword. His plain white shirt was smeared with a gruesome bloodstain, marring the grass like spilled red paint.Tears that Ravi didn't realize had been flowing poured freely as he reached Daniel. He knelt down, grasping Daniel's now-cooling hand. Daniel, who was still semi-conscious, weakly blinked at Ravi, his hand returning to Ravi's gentle grasp."Raymond? Someone, call for Raymond. Call anyone. Please help Daniel," Ravi cried hysterically, looking around frantically for anyone who could assist, but no one was in sight. Their parents not being home only escalated Ravi's panic, with his heart raci